THICK hair!! HELP ME!!

Di

okay so I haven't done anything to my hair since I was in high school. which was five years ago. I mean once in a while I'll straighten it but it's SOOOOO THICK I can't breathe I take a million breaks while straightening it then it's to hot to keep it down and I end up throwing it up in a bun. a messy bun. not a pretty Pinterest worthy newmom messy bun. like real messy bun looks like I haven't brushed it in days messy bun. I need some help how TF can I style my hair (without dying halfway through or from heat exhaustion) btw guys my mom was a very absent one so I can NOT braid hair. I can not figure that shit out to save my life. someone please help me. it's really really starting to affect me. I was a little overweight and I lost twenty pounds and I feel like I can't even show it off or feel sexy because I don't know wtf to do with my hair (I won't even mention my makeup skills are equal to my two year olds that can be a discussion for another day)